Oneworld Award Actually Worth It?

[Limewood]

It is worth it if you don't mind paying huge Qantas fess on top of the points and then try to find 2 in J without status a lottery unless booked near a year out, it can be frustrating.

We normally get a one way ticket to HKG in Y with possible upgrade (its a daylight flight anyway) use QFF points go out of HKG usually on CX with little fees and return to OZ on a choice of OW airlines.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

It is worth it if you don't mind paying huge Qantas fess on top of the points and then try to find 2 in J without status a lottery unless booked near a year out, it can be frustrating.

See post 20, as there's an option where you can flying HKG/Europe return where the taxes are a respectable AUD118.53 pp. Surely that would even make you happy Limewood - maybe?

 

[Limewood]

Yes been doing it ex HKG for years.

 

[Danger]

CX cities ex HKG to Europe are LHR, LGW, FCO, MXP, ZRH, AMS, FRA, CDG & DUB . . .

And a seasonal CPH which has just been extended.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

And a seasonal CPH which has just been extended.

Good to know Danger. Didn't know about CPH or BCN for that matter.

 

[cjd600]

CX cities ex HKG to Europe are LHR, LGW, FCO, MXP, ZRH, AMS, FRA, CDG & DUB. If you only have enough points for J one way HKG to Europe book J class on the overnight flight then Y on a day flight if possible.

They fly an A350 to MAN as well

 

[fairbasa]

via Japan may be an option. I always find a lot more availability with JAL than other airlines - low taxes too.

 

[JohnK]

I used to think they were but taxes are going up and up and no sign of coming back down.

I don't think taxes of ~AUD1,500 are unreasonable for a 140,000 QFF points Oneworld award. If you can maximise the routing with 5 stopovers the value would be close to $4,000 if not more.

What's unreasonable though is 56,000 QFF points + taxes of ~AUD550 for a $600-$700 airfare. It's ludicrous.

 

[Danger]

I used to think they were but taxes are going up and up and no sign of coming back down.

I don't think taxes of ~AUD1,500 are unreasonable for a 140,000 QFF points Oneworld award. If you can maximise the routing with 5 stopovers the value would be close to $4,000 if not more.

What's unreasonable though is 56,000 QFF points + taxes of ~AUD550 for a $600-$700 airfare. It's ludicrous.

I think that's a fairly long list, sadly. Perth-Singapore return is 45k points and about $300. In a sale the paid fare can be had for between $400 and $500.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

I used to think they were but taxes are going up and up and no sign of coming back down.

I don't think taxes of ~AUD1,500 are unreasonable for a 140,000 QFF points Oneworld award. If you can maximise the routing with 5 stopovers the value would be close to $4,000 if not more.

What's unreasonable though is 56,000 QFF points + taxes of ~AUD550 for a $600-$700 airfare. It's ludicrous.

I also didn't think taxes/fees of AUD 1500pp that much of an impost when I did my first 280K award flight (only 9 flights and about 26K miles). However just booked my next one and taxes of AUD 750pp for 13 flights and 34K miles just by avoiding QF and BA makes me think now that it was too much

Agree with you 100% on the direct flights so instead try and use my points solely for upgrades

 

[ellen10]

I'm planning for an award flight for next year, so am reading all this with interest.
It has me thinking that a direct flight from Australia to UK/Europe in J maybe isn't the best option.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't think taxes of ~AUD1,500 are unreasonable for a 140,000 QFF points Oneworld award.

YMMV For the same $1500 I can get premium economy on China Airlines to any of their destinations in Asia, Europe or USA. Return. From MEL, SYD or BNE. Miles earned buy a VA domestic claiming through Delta. Sadly however an open jaw doesn't seem possible (fly in to USA and out of Europe for example).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

...just by avoiding QF and BA makes me think now that it was too much

Agree with you 100% on the direct flights so instead try and use my points solely for upgrades

BA is the shocker. Through alaska airlines BA's surcharges for TATL are USD535 in premium cabins. AA flight... $27.

 

[clifford]

BA is the shocker. Through alaska airlines BA's surcharges for TATL are USD535 in premium cabins. AA flight... $27.

BA is only good for intra-Europe, ex HKG and some other CX flights.

 

[11sjw]

I'm planning for an award flight for next year, so am reading all this with interest.
It has me thinking that a direct flight from Australia to UK/Europe in J maybe isn't the best option.

Tend to agree. Pay to get out of / into Oz and award flight it from/to the exit city.

 

[JohnK]

YMMV For the same $1500 I can get premium economy on China Airlines to any of their destinations in Asia, Europe or USA. Return. From MEL, SYD or BNE. Miles earned buy a VA domestic claiming through Delta. Sadly however an open jaw doesn't seem possible (fly in to USA and out of Europe for example).

But you can't do something like SYD-LAX-YYZ-ATH-LHR-BKK-SYD and all the connections? Assuming 1c/point with which airline do I need to fly to keep cost at around $3,000? And if I do fly with another airline such as China Airlines what happens to premium seat selection and lounge access?

I am Qantas Platinum. This trip would be with wife/daughter so need to keep them as comfortable as possible.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But you can't do something like SYD-LAX-YYZ-ATH-LHR-BKK-SYD and all the connections? Assuming 1c/point with which airline do I need to fly to keep cost at around $3,000? And if I do fly with another airline such as China Airlines what happens to premium seat selection and lounge access?

I am Qantas Platinum. This trip would be with wife/daughter so need to keep them as comfortable as possible.

You can't.

China Airlines was that premium economy. Priority check-in, good seats, amenity kits... all included Lounge access is an issue. Although a friend of mine just discovered their Amex gets two free lounge passes for them to use at SYD and TPE on their way to Europe.

Jumping between TPE and Asia (stopover point for China Airlines), or intra-USA, or intra-Europe, or even TATL return... use the 140K QF points 'saved' per person to do all those in premium cabins with lower fuesl surcharges is sticking to AA, CX to/from HKG etc.

A RTW in economy is a long trip. Two separate trips - one to USA and one to Europe in premium economy for $1500 each may be an option for some people looking for comfort at a good price. And both trips earning miles rather than burning them.

 

[JohnK]

A RTW in economy is a long trip. Two separate trips - one to USA and one to Europe in premium economy for $1500 each may be an option for some people looking for comfort at a good price. And both trips earning miles rather than burning them.

Over 5-6 weeks is not that long. One week in Phoenix/Palm Springs, one week in Myrtle Beach, 1-2 weeks in Scotland/Wales/England, 1 week in Greece and 1 week in Pattaya. Then park the Oneworld award and the girls can go to Chiang Mai for 3-4 weeks and I come back to work and then go back and get them.

I guess each person has different interests but I do agree taxes are high but Qantas points are a by product of all my travel and unless I buy toasters/luggage or similar I would need to use them on awards. Forget upgrades as I would need to purchase upgradeable airfares.